Sharing a post I read today on Proverbs 31 Ministries.  I love this post.  it is very much the beat of my heart for this season and the coming year. 

“Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions.” I Kings 10:1 (NKJ)

The Queen of Sheba was wealthy and beautiful. She had everything a queen could want – gold, silver, ivory, precious jewels and servants taking care of all her needs.
Well, almost everything.
She’d heard about the famous King Solomon and his miraculous God. Even though her people had many gods to worship, none intrigued her like the Lord God of Israel. Her heart was so moved by His Name she traveled 1,400 miles across the desert sands of Arabia to visit King Solomon, a man who knew this God personally.
Camels can travel around 20 miles a day, so the trip would take her six months each way. She brought a great caravan of servants, loads of spices, gold and unusual woods to give as gifts to Solomon. Her heart and soul longed for riches she did not have, and she sensed they would be discovered through him.
When she finally arrived, she stood before the grandest palace she had laid eyes on. But her purpose wasn’t to see the most beautiful archeological place ever built, it was to find a secret treasure.
Scripture tells us she talked to Solomon for hours, asking him deep questions about God. Based on her response, she found what she had longed for and declared, “Blessed be the LORD your God” (1 Kings 10:9a NKJ).
The Queen of Sheba took great pains to find wisdom, yet the wisdom available to her at that time was the lesser wisdom of a man. Even so, Jesus mentions the Queen in Matthew 12:42 and honors her desire for His wisdom.
The wisdom we have access to through Jesus far outshines Solomon’s. If the Queen of Sheba would travel six months to find truth, how much more should we search for wisdom by opening our Bibles and hearts to Him in prayer?
When people travel to our home this week, it will not be the seasonal décor or cleanliness that will ultimately impress them. It won’t be a perfectly sculpted yard or a new car in the garage. It will be spiritual insight and the presence of grace they will be drawn to — through the Holy Spirit living in us. When we share the love of our God with them they will have visited a wealthy home.
As rich as Queen Sheba or King Solomon’s palaces.
Our home is where our heart is, and our heart is Christ’s home — a dwelling place for the Lord. Let’s be sure to spend time with Him this week so we can be filled with love and prepared with wisdom to offer our guests. May those who enter our homes this Christmas, and in the New Year to come, find treasures that people have traveled the whole earth in search of!

Dear Lord, I want every person who walks into my home to find the riches that only You can deliver. Help me to be a conduit for Your wisdom and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You can see the original post and discussion question here.

People are our greatest gift.  I hope the way I love mine will always reflect the way my Jesus loves me. 

Happy day to you my friends

S.
xoxo Pin It

Christmas Shares

Thought I'd share with you the layouts I created the other day.  My Scrapbook Nook's December kit was full of the fabulous Crate Peppermint line.  I'm not normally big on theme papers, but this line, and several others this year, to be honest was way too cute not to get excited about.  Not to mention, it's Crate Paper, so I'd be hard pressed NOT to like it.  *sigh* What it would be like to be a part of that DT and work with their product all the time?!

Would you believe me if I told you that I only printed a couple, (and I'm not exaggerating)  photos from last year's Christmas holiday?  I had in mind to create a mini album, so I never even scrapped any layouts, until this year.  I can think of 2 that I've done, but that's it.  Because my time the other day was limited I wanted to scrap photos that I had on hand, ready to go.  This one we picked up just the other day in church.  It was taken there at a little photo booth they had set up, as part of an activity during the family service on November 26.

This one, as you can tell is from way back when the kids were little.  Yes, I really did have it printed and ready to go.  (I still have an old Creative Memories photo file full of photos that never got scrapped waiting for my attention.  Most are not great, as my photography skills were lacking, but there are some gems that need to be scrapped.  New Year's resolution perhaps?!)  When Eden saw it she said "Aww, no picture of me?"  I had to tell her the reason she was missing in the photos was because she was terrified of Mrs Claus, and was squirming and wriggling so bad the photo was super blurry.   She thought that was pretty funny, and forgave the fact that she is missing.

Lastly, I saw this idea at the scrapbook store where I work.  It's a Christmas card holder.  I save most of my cards from year to year, but they're packed away in a box.  This fun little booklet, is a great way to store them.  Now I can pull them out year after year, and see how people have changed.

What do you do with your Christmas cards when the season is over?

Thanks for popping in today friends.  I made a couple tri-fold cards today that I'd love to show you.  I'll try to get them up tomorrow for you.  They look difficult, but are actually very easy to make.

Have a great day!

♥ S. Pin It

I'm scrapping today

I am so excited for the day off.  Simply enjoying making a few teacher treats for Christmas, and scrapping a little bit today.  I love days like this.  To make it even better I just discovered this at Two Peas...

How about you, what's in the works in your scrappy space?

Here are a few more photos of my day thus far

Funny hat day at school today

Xmas teacher treat bag prep

Step 1

Step 2

and done.

Have a great one friends, thanks for popping in.

♥ S. Pin It

Getting Sketchy

Today is my first DT post over Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  The third Monday of every month is a Sketch or Technique challenge.  I love that there's a little variety in what they post and when on their site.  Sketches are one of my go to inspiration starters when I'm in a slump.  Check out the post here.  It would be great if you played along with me.  I've got a pretty sweet rak up for grabs for the first person to complete a layout using the sketch.  If you use the sketch to complete Challenge #11, you'll be entered to win the Paper Issues prize also.  That means you have a chance at winning two prizes for the same challenge, how great is that?!  Leave me a comment here if you manage to complete the layout before anyone else and I'll be sure to get your rak out to you.

Since I didn't know I was going to be doing a post this month, I already shared my layout with you.  Rather than show you the some one twice, I completed a second layout using the same sketch.  Here's the second one I came up with using the fabulous Crate filled December Kit from My Scrapbook Nook.

I hope you get a chance to play along with me.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.

♥ S





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A Layout & A Winner

Happy Friday friends,

Exciting plans for the weekend?  I bet a lot of you are already in the swing of some early family gatherings.  We are feeling the need for a break around here.  I think the fact the the kids are in school right to the end of next week, dh is working a lot of extra hours, the sun only shines for a few hours a day, and it's grey and drab more days than not outside is leaving something to be desired these days.  Rather than a sense of joy and excitement, we're just simply maintaining the status quo.  I have no doubt those "feeling" will come.  Sometimes, however, we have to will ourselves to believe it before we can feel it.  Wouldn't you agree?  I, for one am looking forward to the relaxed pace of Christmas break.  I think the whole family is.  The girls are getting a new game for Christmas, that I'm hoping will be a hit, and something we can enjoy as a family.  I'm also thinking that some scheduled 'family play dates' are in order over the holidays to create some time to just be together, enjoying one another.  What kind of traditions do you have for Christmas break (kids or not), I'd love to hear them.

I created a layout the other day.  It's all about me.  I had the idea to document some of the things that define me at 37.  It seemed like the proper way to say goodbye to that year, before welcoming in 38.  This was my first attempt at painting on my page.  I have a lot to learn, let's just leave it at that :)  Because it's been so long since I've scrapped I felt a little lost when putting this page together.  It actually sat on my table for 3 days before I glued it all down.  I just wasn't loving it, but couldn't figure out what exactly needed to be changed about it.  In the end, I decided to just glue it down, and move on for fear of not getting it done at all.  I used the new My Mind's Eye Funday line, along with some Jillibean Soup, Pink Paislee, Studio Calico, and Basic Grey.  The doily is actually by "Touch" the makers of plastic plates, cups and cutlery you can find in any supermarket.  They were a great deal, a package of 30, in 3 different sizes for $1.50.

This is what the 10 points say:
(1) I cry easily - even during commercials
(2) I walk the thin line between normalcy and OCD
(3) My Grade 12 Math teacher failed my twice, it irritates me to this day.
(4) I've wanted a nose ring for years.  Eight days before my 38th birthday I got one.
(5) I love watching football, even more when I'm alone (no one shushes me)
(6) My feet are almost alwasy cold.
(7) I get so ridiculously attached to book characters, that I physically miss them once I finish.
(8) It concerns me daily that I may fail my children as a mother.
(9) I've always wanted an older sister, and still do.
(10) I have no doubt that if it were not for the grace of God, my life would look utterly and completely different than it does today.  I am so grateful.

I have another layout to share with you on Monday for the Sketch Challenge that will be posted over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to follow me, and enter my Valentine's themed giveaway.  Random.Org selected number 16 as the lucky winner.

Congratulations Kate!  Please email me your snail mail and I'll get your goodies in the mail for you asap.

Thanks for stopping by today, have a wonderful weekend friends.


♥ S. Pin It

Reflection

source

He who dwells in the shelter of The Most High 

Will rest in the shadow of the Almightly

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge, and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust."

Hoping to encourage you to create space in this often hectic season of lists, line ups, decorating, baking, and preparing for friends and family. Space to reflect, give thanks, and walk in the knowledge of the blessing of the babe born in a manger.  Let us encourage one another to create space for Him to move in our hearts, and minds.

May you know His presence in your life today regardless of what's on your to-do list.

Blessings,

♥ S.

reminder: today is the last day to enter my big giveaway here. Pin It

Super fun Announcement

First off I'd like to thank each of you for the very kind birthday wishes on Saturday.  I had a wonderful day, that ended with dinner out with the fam, unwrapping a brand spankin' new iPhone 4s, and finally watching The Help with my hubby.  A wonderful day indeed.  If you missed out on my gift to you.  You still have time to enter the giveaway here.

This was finally announced today.  I'm so glad I don't have to keep it a secret any longer.  I'm so excited to be joining these lovely ladies.  They've been so gracious and welcoming.  I look forward to working, and growing alongside them, as together, we encourage scrappers to weave their spiritual journey into their love of scrapping, and paper crafting.  I hope you'll pop by from time to time, and join in the challenges with us.  My very first challenge will be posted next Monday.

Today, I'm finally going to start (and hopefully finish) my Christmas shopping.  Where is the time going?  Wasn't it just the first day of school last week?  I've got some catching up to do in the 'decking the halls department' here.  So, I'm off to get started.

Thanks for stopping by today friends.  Happy Monday to each of you.

♥ S Pin It